The Wind Up – Watch News #237

Welcome to this week’s Wind Up, our regular series where we highlight all of the new See more in watches releases and relevant news of the past seven days. In this week’s edition, we’ll be featuring a handful of new watches that really caught our eye. Omega unveiled George Clooney and Hyun Bin as the brand’s partners to promote the incredible Speedmaster ’57 collection which we thought would be interesting to revisit, TAG Heuer dropped a handful of new and colourful Formula 1 models, and Montblanc went O2 free with its latest 1858 Geosphere. Happy reading fellas!

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Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Limited Edition

It began with the 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen LE290, Montblanc’s first watch to utilise the oxygen-free concept, whereby rather than creating a vacuum within the watch, the timepiece itself was filled with an inert gas. It was designed to commemorate the legendary mountaineer Reinhold Messner, who was the first piece to climb the world’s 14 highest peaks and who was the first to ascend Mount Everest without oxygen supplementation. The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Limited Edition is a dedication to Reinhold Messner’s son Simon, as he continues on in his father’s footsteps by climbing Mont Blanc. The benefit of having a zero oxygen timepiece, especially during a mountain climb, is that it eliminates fogging of the crystal during drastic temperature changes, which in turn enhances legibility even during the harshest of conditions. It also prevents oxidisation, ensuring that the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Limited Edition’s components last longer and will operate with greater precision. Pretty innovative stuff from Montblanc. Brand: Montblanc Model: 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Limited Edition Reference Number: 129415 Diameter: 42mm Water Resistance: 100 metres Calibre: MB 29.25 Power Reserve: 42 hours Price: Unconfirmed Shop Montblanc watches

• Brand: Montblanc
• Model: 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Limited Edition (1,786 pieces)
• Reference: MB129415
• Case Diameter: 42mm
• Case Thickness: 12.8mm
• Case Material: Bronze
• Water Resistance: 100m (10 ATM)
• Movement: Automatic, Calibre MB 29.25, 28,800 vph — dual world-time hemisphere display (Northern & Southern globes), day/night, date
• Power Reserve: Approx. 42 hours
• Strap: Blue Sfumato calf leather with bronze-coated stainless steel triple-folding clasp
• Price (at launch): AUD$12,100

TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph

TAG Heuer has added splashes of colour to its Formula 1 Chronograph family, a spirited evocation of the collection’s inspiration. With bright colours like green, yellow and red, the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph references are highlighted by the distinct colours of the racetrack. These new and audacious colours scream presence and energy, but still retain the collection’s subtleties. The new references come in three models: British Racing Green, Or yellow and gold, and Rosso Corsa Italian red. All three models feature the Formula 1 Chronograph’s legible dial layout, all three come in matching coloured textured straps and all three are available for a very accessible AUD$2,650. Brand: TAG Heuer Model: Formula 1 Chronograph Reference Number: CAZ101AM.FT805x Diameter: 43mm Water Resistance: 200 metres Calibre: Quartz Price: AUD$2,650 Shop the TAG Heuer Formula 1

• Brand: TAG Heuer
• Model: Formula 1 Chronograph ‘Colours’ Collection
• Reference: CAZ101AP.FT8056 (green) / CAZ101AN.FT8055 (red) / CAZ101AM.FT8054 (yellow)
• Case Diameter: 43mm
• Case Thickness: 12.4mm
• Case Material: Stainless steel (fine-brushed finish)
• Water Resistance: 200m
• Movement: Swiss-made quartz chronograph
• Strap: Rubber with gum-effect finish, colour-matched to dial; pin buckle in brushed steel
• Price (at launch): AUD$3,500

Bulgari Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days

For Geneva Watch Days last week, famed jewellery house and watchmaker Bulgari unveiled a series of stunning pieces, however, it was the Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days that really caught my attention. The former release turned heads with its impossibly thin design, however, this time around, the brand has added a sculptural new manufacture movement that plays on contrast and arrives with an eight-day power reserve. Inside, the new hand-wound manufacture movement, the extra-fine calibre BVL 199 SK, features a gauge-shaped indicator that Bulgari says “embraces the curvature” of the small seconds counter at 7:30. In its design, the new Bulgari Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8-Day is reminscent of its predecessor, drawing on the classic octagon shape, however, this iteration arrives in a 40mm satin-finished pink gold case. Importantly, this one is a cool 5.95mm thick and is fitted with a sapphire back. Seriously impressive stuff from Bulgari. Brand: Bulgari Model: Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days Reference Number: 103667 Diameter: 40mm Thickness: 5.95mm Water Resistance: 30m Calibre: BVL 199 SK Price: USD$37,300 Shop the Octo Finissimo at Bulgari

• Brand: Bulgari
• Model: Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days
• Reference: 103667
• Case Diameter: 40mm
• Case Thickness: 5.95mm
• Case Material: Pink gold
• Water Resistance: 30m
• Movement: Bulgari Calibre BVL 199 SK, in-house manual-winding skeletonised, 21,600 vph
• Power Reserve: 192 hours (8 days)
• Strap: Chocolate brown alligator leather, pink gold pin buckle
• Price: Approx. EUR 38,500

Omega Speedmaster ’57

The Omega Speedmaster ’57 is a spirited machine that highlights Omega’s pursuit of chronometry excellence. Celebrating 65 years of the Speedmaster, Omega has partnered with two mega stars, George Clooney and Hyun Bin. Both celebrities are a celebration of all that Omega is, and both fit the mould of the atelier beautifully. The model we’ll be focusing on is the gorgeous blue-dial Speedmaster ’57 reference 332.10.41.51.03.001. This particular model features a stunning blue dial encased in 40.50mm of stainless steel and is powered by the manually wound, Co-Axial escapement and METAS certified master chronometer calibre Omega 9906. Brain meets brawn with any reference to the Omega Speedmaster ’57. A timepiece for the ages. Brand: Omega Model: Omega Speedmaster ’57 Reference Number: 332.10.41.51.03.001 Diameter: 40.50mm Water Resistance: 50 metres Calibre: Omega 9906 Power Reserve: 60 hours Price: AUD$13,200 Shop the Omega Master ’57

• Brand: Omega
• Model: Speedmaster ’57
• Reference: 332.10.41.51.01.001 (black dial, steel bracelet); 332.12.41.51.01.001 (black dial, leather strap) — 2022 collection
• Case Diameter: 40.5mm
• Case Thickness: 12.99mm
• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Water Resistance: 50m (5 bar)
• Movement: Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9906, manual winding, 4Hz, 44 jewels, METAS certified
• Power Reserve: 60 hours
• Strap: Flat-link steel bracelet with comfort-release clasp (ref. 332.10.x); leather strap with steel pin buckle (ref. 332.12.x)
• Price: AUD$16,800 (steel bracelet)

Piaget Gleaming Savor

Piaget is a master of pairing haute horlogerie with haute joaillerie. Many of Piaget’s haute joaillerie timepieces embody the essence of the maison, captured beautifully within a mechanical piece of history. And the Piaget Gleaming Savor is no different. It features beautiful marquetry work with 177 pieces of materials, upside-down set baguette-cut diamonds on the bezel and lugs which gives the piece a bolder look, as well as a distinct crystal glass look which was created by Rose Saneuil. Based in Montrouge near Paris, Sanueil is a French marquetry specialist who works with a variety of elemental techniques. Specifically for the Piaget Gleaming Savor, she used straw, sycamore wood and elytron, creating visual depth and volume to a dial that is otherwise flat. Magnificent. Brand: Piaget Model: Gleaming Davor Reference Number: G0A47011 Diameter: 41mm Water Resistance: N/A Calibre: 830P Power Reserve: 60 hours Price: Price on request Shop the Piaget 41mm model

Watches of Switzerland – An Extraordinary Journey

Watches of Switzerland celebrated its 25th year since the family-owned retailer first opened its doors. To commemorate this momentous occasion it has released a beautiful campaign aptly titled ‘The Journey’. Sam van der Griend, the Manager Director of Watches of Switzerland said the following about this defining milestone for himself and the company: “It is an extraordinary moment to be achieving another milestone at Watches of Switzerland in our 25th Anniversary. Our family is very proud of what the business has become, and for the contributions made to it by our wonderful clients and members of staff. We have no doubt the next 25 years will be just as extraordinary.” You can watch the video right here. If you enjoyed The Wind Up and would like to continue reading about watches, you can head on over to my blog, Haulogerie, where I delve a bit deeper into the wonderful world of horology.

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